In response to today’s announcement that HS2 will go ahead, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson said:
“I welcome today’s announcement that HS2 will be going ahead. The project is vital for the future infrastructure of the country and ensuring that the economy can thrive in the West Midlands.
“I have identified a close link between economic development and crime. Areas with underinvestment, lack of jobs and opportunities see much higher crime.
” I hope, that with the announcement of HS2, we will see a large increase in jobs for the people of the West Midlands, including apprenticeships – which have fallen in recent years. These extra opportunities, and helping people into work, training and ensuring that they have these skills is key to making this project a success.
” I also hope that through HS2 it will be possible to find opportunities for those who have previously been offenders and have struggled to gain employment. We know that not being in employment, education or training can lead people to commit crime.
“However, we also need to ensure that our existing services are working at their best. Commuters I speak to, whilst often welcome HS2, are deeply concerned that the current system is failing them. They don’t want to wait until at least 2028 to see a new service, they want to see the current service working well too.
“We will need to ensure that delays on the network, and on the motorways where HS2 will cross, won’t cause disruption to rail and road users.
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